Chapter 397

“Hee hee–you’ve gotten really good at this, I don’t recognize it.”
“Woohoo. I started this because I wanted my daily ritual to be more enjoyable, and now it’s pretty awesome.”
Navarordze smirked.
In her human state, she had only her horns exposed above her head.
I nodded, keeping my eyes on the flowerbed.
“You’re amazing, sister. Really.”
The colorful wildflowers were beautiful.
With the warm sunshine and the fluffy dirt crunching underfoot with each step, I couldn’t tell if I was indoors or out.
In the center of the green, grassy space was a large boulder floating in the water.
“I did something. It’s all because of you and the heart of the world–no, Ceniel.”
“I did something, and that rock would have been a real rock if it weren’t for you.”
There was no longer any sign of the desolate past.
Deep in the heart of the headquarters, the hall dedicated to Ceniel is now a beautiful space that rivals the gardens of the Imperial Palace.
The life force that Ceniel constantly exudes and the sun magic of Navarordje make even man-made structures a part of nature.
She tugged on my hand and proudly showed me the life she had nurtured.
Holding hands when you’re together is now second nature.
We were walking side by side.
“So–are we really going to a world of invaders?”
Navarordze spoke up, his expression grave.
The end was in sight.
I looked back at her and stammered.
“Yeah. We’ve definitely got the upper hand, but they’re going to keep coming back if we don’t get rid of the roots.”
“Yeah–I think that’s right, too. I know it’s the right thing to do, but—— honestly, I’m so worried.”
Navarordze sighed.
Hands clasped together.
The look of concern in his eyes broke my heart.
If you’re worried about your mother, this is probably how you feel.
“Oh, there you go again. Are you okay?”
“But—.”
“I’ve fought all of them, anyway. The Bald King is a bit of a handful, but he’s not untouchable. You don’t really believe me, do you?”
I thumped my chest.
I wanted to reassure her, even if it meant making exaggerated gestures.
Navarordze smirked at the antics.
“I trust you. More than anyone in the world.”
“C’mon, that’s the way it should be, and rest assured, I’m not going alone.”
“That’s true, too. I never thought I’d see the day when I’d be joining hands with the prelates and executives of Nebula Clasier–if it weren’t for you.”
She was genuinely impressed.
It’s kind of crazy, even for me.
In the original world, you’d have to share a common front with the bugs that tore them apart, leaving none behind.
As if on cue, Navarordze’s horns flashed briefly.
“Hmm. He says he’s ready, Abel, and he’s a man of his word.
“I’m a master of persuasion, so let’s go.”
“Is there anything you forgot to bring? How are you feeling? Maybe we can hold off a little longer, I don’t want to rush into things and mess up—”
“Don’t worry, I’ve checked all the boxes.”
He smiled and waved.
Honestly, there wasn’t much to pack.
All they needed was food, drink, and a knife.
“I see.”
Navarordze smiled a complex smile.
I don’t know why, but she seemed a little down today.
The spatial travel spell was about to be cast.
“Ronan.”
“What?”
“When the invaders are completely gone—are you leaving?”
There was a subtle tremor in his voice.
The intent of the question was unclear.
I scratched the back of my head and replied.
“Hmmm. I don’t know, actually.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know?”
“Because after we kill the Bald King, we have to catch this guy Akasha, remember, that crazy enchanter. I don’t think there are any more rifts, but we still have to catch him to end it–and we haven’t figured out how to get to the next world yet.”
“——So you’re in our world until we catch Akasha?”
“Well, yeah.”
I giggled lightly.
Navarordze’s face lit up.
Her muttered words to herself unintentionally rang in my ears.
“Yeah, that wizard was still there…!”
Judging by the tone of his voice, he must have really forgotten.
I know you’re probably worried.
To think that such a monster walks around alive and well.
She coughed a few times, then spoke.
“Hmmm, okay, fine. It’s not really a big deal, I was just curious. Yeah.”
“It didn’t strike me as a particularly strange question.”
“Well, did you? Good, because if you did, I want to know what I’m talking about. I’m on my way.”
“Are you okay? You look a little flushed.”
Navarordze did not answer my questions.
A sensual finger flicked through the air.
The nausea inherent in spatial travel knotted my stomach.
Voila!
My vision went dark for a moment, and then a completely different space opened up in front of me.
“Nice weather.”
The wind was cold against my face.
It was snowing under a clear sky.
More than a hundred rebels had gathered in the white wilderness.
The power source was not committed to the mission.
Spotting me, Letancier let out a new scream.
“Hee hee hee, I’m really here!”
“You’re late, Navarorde.”
Beside her stood the humanized Orse and Fantasia.
They were the masterminds behind this operation.
Orsay seemed to be in his usual good mood today, as he gave me a wide-eyed pin glass.
Fantasia shook her head in silence.
His large, colorful horns made him look like an overgrown zelkova in the middle of a rice field.
“Everyone looks good. Where’s Abel?”
“There it is.”
Orse jerked.
Sure enough, there was a white man in the center of the resistance.
His arms were crossed and his chin was up, and it didn’t look like he was being defiant.
Excited people were shouting abuse at him.
“Woohoo, scumbag!”
“You’re a fucking asshole, I would have killed you if you hadn’t ordered me to.”
“What are you patting yourself on the back for?”
I was ready to throw something if I got any further.
It was not even close to the popularity of Letancier or Fantasia.
A storm of selling was brewing, but Abel remained calm, whether he wanted to or not.
Crazy.
I wouldn’t look like that in the master bedroom.
“There you are. Are you going to leave right away?”
Suddenly, Abel and I locked eyes.
All eyes turned in this direction.
A crowd gathered around me as they realized who I was.
“Ronan!”
“Somebody do something about that asshole! Is that the attitude of someone who has repented of their sins?!”
“You should cancel your plans now, they’re going to take you somewhere weird and do something to you!”
The Resistance worried me, for the most part.
Their distrust of Abel was at an all-time high.
It’s not unreasonable.
Unlike Letancier and Fantasion, he is the one who directly brought the Bald Legion into existence.
I laughed and calmed them down.
“You’ll be fine.”
“Ha, but…!”
“Okay, so here’s the deal: if you try anything, I’ll dismantle this bastard and give you a piece of the meat, now do you feel better?”
“Huh.”
The noodles have hardened.
Silence descended.
It was a bit of a harsh statement, but I needed to get it out there.
At Abel’s feet was the most unpleasant circle of magic I’ve ever seen in my life.
It wriggles like it’s alive.
He asked for all sorts of weird stuff and drew with it.
There was no time to delay any longer.
When I noticed, Orse and Fantasion rushed over.
Letancier was tucked into Fantasia’s side, flailing about.
“Hie! Get off me, Fantasia! What are you doing to me!”
“We are sinners. Blood must wash away our sins.”
“Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Okay, okay, I’ll walk on my own feet, so let go.”
Eventually, a fed up Letancier staggered over.
With her gone, all five of us stood on the magic circle.
The powerhouses at the top of the Resistance.
The strongest Navarorde stayed behind to guard Seniel and the headquarters.
I felt like I was ready to go.
Navarrozze watched us as we lined up.
His big eyes were still filled with worry.
Still, you gotta do what you gotta do.
Facing her, I dropped to one knee.
“Then, Mother of Fire. Bless you.”
“…..Yes.”
Navarordze smiled.
We had agreed to do this in advance.
It wasn’t just a showcase event.
Having spent two lives with Adeshan, I knew how much a general’s death or honor can boost a group’s morale.
Surprisingly, Fantasia was the fastest to recognize.
Crouching down after me, he poked Rtanshie with his horn.
“Ugh, I know!”
Letancier quickly dropped to his knees.
All that was left was Orsay and Abel.
Naturally, Orsay hated him to death, but his men surrounding him were giving him lip service.
Captain, you have my blessing.
“Hmm. If you don’t get it right, I’m not going to let you off the hook.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll protect everything you hold dear.”
Navarordze laughed.
Orsay was about to say something more, but then he lowered his head in exasperation.
It was his best.
Yes, Orsera, you’ve lived long enough to see the stars.
“Hey.”
Abel was the only one who did nothing.
When I pointed it out, they were silent.
Ha, fuck uncle….
I can only assume that this is the kind of asshole he is, even though there are two people who can kill him with certainty.
“Yum.”
“That’s pathetic. I don’t bow my head.”
Abel scoffed.
The reaction around me was intense.
There were sporadic cries to pull it out and kill it.
I had to take action before someone unable to contain their anger shot an arrow.
I sighed and was about to draw my knife.
“Crack!”
Suddenly, Abel stumbled forward.
I fell with my arms outstretched and landed face first on the ground.
It looked really sick.
For a moment, the booing subsided.
Abel growled as he pulled his face out of the floor.
“Letan Xie, how dare you—!”
“You should be ashamed of yourself. Really.”
Letancier spoke without looking at him.
The former boss’s behavior was embarrassing to say the least.
The ears peeking through the hair were ripe red.
“Phew.”
Navarrozze laughed out loud.
I giggled out loud.
Honestly, it was fucking hilarious, but I stuck with it.
How could I not laugh when I saw that face on the floor.
The dreadful mood was lifted.
Navarordze said.
“You have to come back. Do you understand?”
“Of course.”
I said, and bowed my head.
A hot palm rested on the crown of my head.
A compassionate, yet powerful voice rang out.
“I bless you. May you destroy the Satanic invaders and restore peace to the world.”
A gentle blessing spread.
I could feel the warmth of the primal fire seeping into my body.
Abel, who had been fumbling around, recited the spell.
The magic circle at his feet began to glow.
Five people, including me, were covered in a white glow.
When we opened our eyes, we had arrived in a completely different world.